The 1907 Ford Model S is earning fresh attention in the collector world, climbing sharply in value as enthusiasts rediscover one of Ford’s earliest cars. A recent feature on Jay Leno’s Garage highlighted why this once-overlooked model has become a rising star, with appraiser Donald Osborne outlining the factors behind its sudden momentum.
The Model S fits neatly into what Leno calls the “Jewels of the Dawn,” a nod to machines that helped shape the earliest days of the auto industry. Displayed alongside a 1907 Renault Tyle AI and a 1902 Winston, the Ford stands out as a car rarely seen today and still unfamiliar to many collectors. It arrived just before the groundbreaking Model T and shares much of the mechanical spirit that helped launch Ford into mass production.
Despite its age, the Model S remains lively on the road. Osborne notes that the car is capable of speeds around 40 to 45 mph, a figure that continues to surprise first-time drivers of century-old machinery. Growing opportunities for early-vehicle touring events have also fueled renewed appreciation, giving owners more reasons to bring these machines out into the open.
For years, the Model S looked like it might slip into the background of Ford’s history, but its survival under the Blue Oval banner helped preserve interest. Not long ago, collectors could find examples near the $30,000 range. Today, prices hover closer to $50,000, marking an impressive jump of roughly 66 percent. Much of that rise is tied to the value of originality; cars retaining their factory chassis, engine, and body components are increasingly scarce.
While the Model S surges, not all vintage Fords are on the same trajectory. The 1957 Ford Thunderbird, a far newer and once-coveted model, has seen its values move in the opposite direction in recent years.
